Uganda Premier League champions, Vipers SC, suffered to a 2-0 defeat against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Thabang Vincent Sesinyi’s brace ensured the Venoms suffered a 2-0 defeat on enemy territory at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
After a slow start from either side, Jwaneng Galaxy FC found their way to the score sheet, with Sesinyi beating Alfred Mudekereza easily at the 16th mark.
The Venoms asserted themselves, pushing for an equaliser and nearly got rewarded. Still, Yunus Sentamu wasted a decent chance as his shot off Milton Karisa’s delivery was weak and easily tamed by the goalkeeper.
In the 30th minute, Mudekereza produced a brilliant stop to deny Jwaneng’s Sechele Moagi’s free-kick at the near post.
The visitors nearly grabbed a leveller at the 40th-minute mark, but Rodriguez Giancarlo’s powerful freekick sailed a few inches wide.
Vipers returned after the break improved and nearly equalised in the 57th minute, but Sentamu struck wide after superb individual work from Bright Anukani.
Six minutes later, the hosts thought they had doubled their lead, only for excellent double saves from Mudekereza to deny Carlos Fredericks and Moagi.
Anukani then had a long-range effort well tamed by Phoko before substitute Mohammed Salem struck the rebound wide.
Three minutes, Vipers got punished by Sesinyi, who struck well past Mudekereza for his brace.
The Kitende side will have to pull off a much better display on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium if they are to reach the second preliminary round.
The winners, after two legs, will meet either Comoros’ Djabal FC or South Africa’s Orlando Pirates.
The latter won the first leg 1-0.
How Vipers lined up
Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Isa Mubiru, Ashraf Mandela, Hilary Mukundane, Livingstone Mulondo, Patrick Mbowa, Bright Anukani, Milton Karisa (c), Yunus Sentamu, Giancarlo Rodriguez.
Substitutions: Fabien Mutombora, Denis Kiggundu, Richard Matovu, Nzau Lutumba, Karim Watambala, Mohammed Salem, Awesome Fumador, Abubakar Lawal, Grant Matsiko, Abdu Lumala.
